Civic and faith-based organizations provide Communities In Schools with enriching, lasting ways to help CIS deliver the Five CIS Basics. CIS believes that all students need and deserve five basic resources to succeed in school and in life.

A one-on-one relationship with a caring adult

A safe place to learn and grow

A healthy start – a healthy future

A marketable skill to use upon graduation

A chance to give back to peers and community

There are many ways to get involved and support our students in Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s high poverty schools.

Encourage Volunteerism

Encourage members to volunteer with Communities In Schools as a Mentor/School Buddy, Academic Coach, or School Aide.

Partner with a CIS School Site

Through our Partners for Success initiative, your organization can commit to or “adopt” a CIS school site by providing volunteer and in-kind support that enables CIS to reach more students and give them hope for the future. By participating in Partners for Success, your organization and its members have an easy, direct and effective way to get connected to and make a difference in our high poverty schools without having to coordinate and execute the outreach on your own.

To learn more about how your organization can volunteer in a CIS school site, visit Partners for Success.

Sponsor a CIS School Site

By funding a CIS Site Coordinator at a specific high poverty school, your organization can directly impact the success of students who are at risk of dropping out for a myriad of reasons, including socio and economic factors. This funding opportunity is but one option available through our Partners for Success initiative, which involves your organization and its members in a worthwhile way to positively impact our community. To learn more about financially supporting a CIS school site, please contact our Development Office at 704.943.9440.

Provide After-school or Summer Enrichment

Your organization and its members can help us fill the void for many of our students during after school or summer time when many of our CIS young people have few opportunities for enrichment, extended learning, and personal growth due to socio or economic circumstances.

To talk to us about providing after-school enrichment workshops or summer camp programming and/or scholarships for CIS students, please contact our Resource Development Coordinator at 704-943-9707 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Participate in CIS and Community-wide Events

Members can also support Communities In Schools by participating in a number of fun community-wide and special events for friends and family of all ages!

Dine Out For Kids® hosted in June of each year is an easy way to support the mission of Communities In Schools and enjoy friends and family while dining out at one of over 70 participating Charlotte restaurant locations.

Make a School Tools Campaign online donation or collect school supplies in August for the annual campaign and give students the supplies they need to successfully start the school year.

Join us for seafood, shagging and shenanigans at our Lowcountry On The Green friend-and fundraising event in September.

Celebrate the holiday season by giving kids a chance to shine during our holiday giving campaign. Make a seasonal donation or purchase holiday cards specially inspired by one of our students.